Estelle

21 | Unknown Number

I pull the navy blue shirt over my head and straighten it in the mirror. The neckline of the shirt is open and leaves half of my shoulders exposed. The faint red exit wound on my shoulder from the gunshot is visible but not obvious. It doesn't bother me if people can see it.

My eyes catch someone else's in the mirror in front of me. Adonis is leaning against the doorframe of his bedroom. His eyes catch mine and I see a faint smile on his lips. His hair is still messy and he hasn't fixed the bedhead yet.

Gray eyes roam over my figure and face before he pushes off the door and slowly walks to me. I feel his hand brush my shoulder lightly, pushing my hair aside and placing light kisses on my neck. I roll my head to the side and close my eyes.

"Sei così bella." [You're so beautiful]

I pull away and turn around to look up at Adonis. His eyes are focused on me as if I am the only thing in the world. A black strand of hair hangs over his forehead and stops just above his eyebrow. I reach my hand up and push the strand aside. His hand meets mine and he brings my fingers to his lips while looping his other arm around my waist. My eyes take in every handsome curve of his face as he pulls my fingers away from his lips and squeezes it.

"What am I learning next?" I ask as I gaze at his lips, trying to focus on what he will be training me to do today. We have been switching between work with me resuming my job and physical training.

He lets go of my hand and places his palm against my cheek. "I think I want to keep you in my bed all day instead." The corner of his lip curves up as he speaks. He leans closer to me and I feel my resolve to be productive today begin to dissolve.

"Ti amo." [I love you] He whispers to me. My chest flutters with excitement and my body relaxes into him.

"We should be productive, Adonis." I whisper back to him with little conviction. His lips brush against mine and I feel a blaze ignite in my chest. Both of us suck in a sharp breath at the gentle touch, our eyes closed as we concentrate on the kiss.

A low vibration can be heard on the nightstand and Adonis pulls away with a groan. He looks to the bedside table and rolls his eyes as he gives me one more kiss before stepping away to answer the phone call.

"Cosa?" [What?] Adonis steps out of the room as he continues to speak to the person on the phone.

I look down at my feet and smile. I have never been this happy and felt this secure in my life. He is truly all I could ever need.

As disappointed as I am with our ruined moment, I know we should be productive today and get things done.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and frown. There must be something going on for people to be calling both of us so early...

Unknown Number

A part of me wants to ignore it. Whoever it is, I probably will regret answering. Something in my stomach twists and I can't help but feel the need to answer it. Another part of me feels like I urgently should.

"He-hello?"

"Jane."

I feel my blood run cold. I have not thought about him ever since Adonis sent him back to America. I have let myself fully believe it was over.

"What do you want?"

"Remember what I told you about that window at the party?"

"Stop it." I bite my lip as I try to keep myself calm.

"Hear for yourself." I hear shuffling on the other end before I hear his voice say something faintly.

"Fuck off." My jaw drops as I hear the fiery attitude of my friend.

"Blue?"

"Jane, don't listen to him. I'm okay, I'll be alright. Tell Adon..."

The phone is pulled away from her and a familiar male voice speaks clearly into the phone now. "I warned you. This is your fault. You know what to do." The line goes dead.

I pull the phone away from my face. The reflection on the now black screen of the phone shakes in my hand as I hold back my emotions.

"Jane." His deep voice is a calming wave over me and I spin on my heel to look at him. His eyes widen when he sees the fear in my eyes. "Was that him?"

I shakily nod my head. He quickly walks across the room and pulls me into his arms. "I was on the phone with Alec. He doesn't know where Blue is but now I know who has her."

"This is... It is..."

He pulls away and tilts my face up to look at him. "This is not your fault. Blue became your friend knowing the risks. She is with Alec knowing the risks. This is no one's fault but Accelius."

"I should go find her..."

"No. You know he will just kill her the moment he has you. As long as you are here, he will keep her alive as leverage over you." Not a single tear rolls down my face and I don't feel a prick in my eyes. I am terrified but I am also angry. Furious even. "Do you trust me, Jane?"

I nod.

I hear the front door swing open suddenly. "We are ready!" Alec calls frantically from downstairs. He sounds panicked and terrified.

Adonis pulls me out of the room and we head for the stairs. Alec is standing in the foyer. His voice may sound panicked but his face is full of rage.

"Don't leave the house. We will find her and get rid of Accelius." Adonis speaks gently but firmly to me and I nod.

Another man steps into the foyer and Adonis turns to him. "Stay here and report everything to Ms. Estelle and to me. She is in charge here. Treat her as you would treat me." The man nods.

Adonis turns to me and gives me a kiss. "I'll be back." His eyes study my face for a moment before turning and walking out the door with Alec and the other man.

Fear and anxiousness instantly dominates the air around me as I sit here and wait. I know that if I go out there, I will just be putting her life at risk. He has no one else he can get to like he can Blue and still have a real advantage over me.

I bite my nail and begin walking around the foyer, trying to think of anything I can do to help. I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and my heart jumps.

He is calling.

I pull my phone out, anger and urgency in my actions. That is when I stop. The phone continues to buzz in my hands for attention but I am too shocked to answer it immediately. It is not who I expected and someone I never thought I would hear from again.

I hit the answer button and slowly bring it to my ear. There is a long pause and faint static on the other end.

"Dad?"